Dinner Menu for the Hidden Garden Tour

11209706_883239148385524_5188855532739664095_nPrix Fixe Dinner Menu for the Troy Hidden Garden Tour

Refreshments from 4pm-7pm

Dinner from 5:30pm-9pm

Refreshments and Restrooms at Carmen’s!
As usual, we’ll be open with free refreshments, restrooms, and a good spot to rendezvous.
Open from 4pm on.  Welcome to the hood!

Prix Fixe Dinner ($35) to delight your palate and benefit Friends of Prospect Park.
Your choice of entrée.  Service starts at 5:30, reservations suggested:

  • Filet Mignon Au Jus— over garlic-scallion mashed potatoes. Tender and succulent, w/ roasted veggies
  • Tilapia over Brown Rice— w/ wine-lemon-cilantro sauce
  • Pollo al Jerez— Sweet and savory, the traditional way, w/ capers & olives & fresh figs,
    served over couscous.
  • Vegan Meatless Loaf—  made w/ lentils, brown rice, pecans and mushrooms– a delightful nutty texture, served w/mushroom gravy and salad.

Whichever you choose, it’s Chocolate Decadence Cake or Flan for dessert
plus Sangria, Jim-Gerale, Minty Iced Tea or Coffee

Cash bar for wine and beer

The 17th Annual Hidden Garden Tour in Troy, NY

When:
Thu, May 26, 2016
4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Where:
Historic Sage College, Washington Park and adjoining neighborhoods of downtown Troy.
Cost:
$10

Get tickets Here!

Special New Year’s Day Hours—Join us as we try something new!

This year, we’ll be open from 9—2 on Friday, Jan. 1st – New Year’s Day – and 10—4 on Saturday & Sunday. We will have some amazing specials, like Orange Pecan Pancakes, Carmen’s Hearty Chicken Soup.

From then it’s on to the new year, and, unlike other times, we are staying open all winter. That’s right, you heard it here first: Carmen’s all winter long, for your brunching pleasure: 9—4 Saturdays and Sundays, with tasty food cooked fresh, and some of the finest specials you’ve ever tucked in to.

Carmen’s Annual Holiday Potluck: Thu. Dec 24th from 5–10PM

–Where the Sweet and Neat Meet and Greet since 2004

A Troy tradition, like Romeo and Juliet, Ham and Eggs, Oil and Water- Carmen’s and the Holiday Potluck.

We put out the basics— rice and beans, plantains and salad, picadillo and flan, sangria and Jim-Gerale. You bring a drink or dish to share (with label, sil vous plait!) and friends to share it with. We all have a grand time!

We start early: 5pm, so you can nip in for a quick hello if you are on to somewhere else. And we are here all night, so you can make this your destination. It’s always interesting, always new faces, always a great crew. Our way of saying thanks for the great times and we are glad to know you!

Special New Year’s Day Hours

—Join us as we try something new!

This year, we’ll be open from 9-2 on Friday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day- and 10-4 on Saturday & Sunday. We will have some amazing specials, like Orange Pecan Pancakes, Carmen’s Hearty Chicken Soup, and Paula’s Special Hangover Elixir! Recover from your holiday parties with some real food, from the only joint in town that’s open.

From then it’s on to the new year, and, unlike other times, we are staying open all winter. That’s right, you heard it here first: Carmen’s all winter long, for your brunching pleasure: 10-4 Saturdays and Sundays, with tasty food cooked fresh, and some of the finest specials you’ve ever tucked in to.

Carmen’s Amazing Menu / Victorian Stroll / The Nellies

—Open 9 am-7 pm, with music from 2-6

Cuban Meatloaf: Savory, spiced in the best Cuban tradition

Vegan Meatloaf: Same as above but vegan. With nuts, and not just the staff.

Sopa de Gallina: Spanish Chicken soup. Pretty much like American, except an awful lot of chicken.

Sopa de Vegetal: Vegan soup, stuffed with amazing amounts of nutritious goodness

Grilled Queso de South Troy Sandwich: Sharp cheddar, plus grilled onions and tomato. Perfect with the Sopa, or….. order empanadas with your soup — veggie or carne

Slow Jim Fizz: Jim-Gerale cocktail made with hard cider– a South Troy specialty
And, of course, Jim-Gerale

The-NelliesThe Nellies Return To Carmen’s Cafe for the Troy Victorian Stroll

—amazing alt-country band brings their friends

The Nellies get into the spirit of the party as they bring their freinds for a rotating lineup, a reunion of some of the most remarkable players and singers you’ve ever seen. They enjoy music and it shows. 2-6 pm

The Nellies and Friends Play the Victorian Stroll at Carmen’s

Troy Victorian Stroll This Sunday

—The Whole Town is Open!

VictorianStrollDress up in your Victorian finery, pass a few coppers to the urchins, and have a grand time! Don’t expect any snow, the weatherman says 50°. As usual, the best food and grandest times will be at Carmen’s— We are open from 9-7, the Stroll runs from 11-5, so come in afterwards for a song and a smile.

The-NelliesThe Nellies Return! Energetic rootsy, alt-country, Americana band —  to play the Victorian Stroll at Carmen’s. Who knows what their lineup will be this Sunday? They always bring friends, and each new player is better than the last. Listen in from 2-6, with breaks for Jim-Gerale and Cubano Sandwiches. Or a brewski and fries. Or whatever.

Troy’s 16th Annual Hidden Garden Tour

Hidden GardenProspect Park Hidden Garden Tour

Annual Tradition: Thursday, 5/21, from 4-7:30

Self-guided tour showing some of Troys finest private gardens
Top it off with a benefit dinner at Carmen’s from 5:30-9
Free refreshments from 4-6 if you show us your tour map!

Tickets $10, available during event at First & Division Sts. or online
More info at (518) 874-1303 or email
All proceeds benefit Prospect Park

May 21, 2015 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Rain or Shine
A self-guided walking tour of backyard gardens in the Historic Sage, Washington Park and adjoining districts in downtown Troy.

COST/BENEFIT
Admission is $10; all proceeds benefit ongoing projects in Prospect Park.
Limited access for baby strollers.

PARKING
Free event parking is provided at the Russell Sage College lot, located at First and Division streets. Additional free parking is available in lots farther south on First Street.

CHECK-IN
Required check-in near Russell Sage College parking lot, corner of First and Division streets. You will pick up your tour map.

DOGS, STROLLERS, ETC.
No dogs in gardens.
Note: The gardens are small and may include stairs and unpaved or cobblestone paths.

FREE LIGHT REFRESHMENTS
(AT CARMEN’S CAFE)
The Hidden Garden Tour map is also a ticket for free light refreshments, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Carmen’s Cafe, located at 198 First Street.

POST TOUR DINNER BENEFIT (AT CARMEN’S CAFE)

Benefit Dinner for Friends of Prospect Park:
Thursday, May 21 from 5:30-9

Prixe Fix Menu, $33 per person:

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin w/ grits & Swiss chard

Rainbow Trout w/couscous, pine nuts & butternut squash purée

Plus: Crisped Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Vegetable Medley

Basmati Brown Rice

Mixed Greens Salad

Flan

Sangria, Tea, Iced Tea, Coffee, Seltzer

Cash Bar

Reservations suggested: (518) 326-2064

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT TOUR
For information, call (518) 874-1303 or email haliskim@verizon.net

Get your tickets NOW!

Artist’s Reception for Michael Gwozdz & Renata Memole Sat 4/25

Michael Gwozdz & Renata Memole

Michael Gwozdz & Renata Memole Artist’s Reception, Saturday April 25 from 3-6

Meet the artists, talk about their process.
Tapas and sangria samples!
Limited dinner menu plus full cash bar available

Bookmark our events calendar for news and updates about Carmen’s Cafe.

Our Food, Our Philosophy

CanalIce on the Canal—  The Poestenkill where it flows into the Hudson.  There’s still ice in the railroad bridge that’s nearly two feet thick.  And look at that beautiful stonework just beyond!  I’ll show you a picture of that sometime next month.  You’ll be amazed at Troy’s hidden treasures.

Something New at Carmen’s You might Have Noticed…

We have been working with flavors in a new way.  We write about them, here and in posts to our website/Twitter/Facebook, but I never feel like I am really describing what’s going on.  It’s something about layering flavors and textures—  making a Fritatta, for instance, with six different preparations in it, and the tastes all combine like magic.  Take any two, any three, or  hey, all at once, and you get an interesting combination.  It’s not that they are all the same savor, like for instance in a hearty stew, but that the flavors combine to make something larger than the whole.

It’s different than I’m used to, especially for breakfast.  And I can’t say enough about it because I think you’ll love it too.  But don’t take my word for it, come in and try some!  Ranch eggs, Huevos Tostados, Cuban Fritatta, Orange Pancakes.  All winners, all great, all part of that good ol’ Carmen’s magic!

What’s Snoo in the Snooze:

Cuban FritattaCuban Fritatta

Traditional Spanish dish done Cuban style—open faced omelette is Carmen’s newest taste treat!

It starts a lot like any omelette. Then you add potatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and sautéd spinach. Top with Manchego cheese, and leave it open faced.  Use the right spices, and POW, you have it!

While it’s true name is Tortilla Español, we felt it was too confusing—  Mexican tortillas are nothing like this omelette.  So we renamed it Cuban Fritatta, and it’s our most popular new special.

Huevos TostadosHuevos Tostados

Layers of flavor, Perfect savor!

Picture this:  a crispy fried taco topped with home fries and chorizo or veggie hash, manchego cheese, and a pair of sunnyup eggs—  then some spring greens and avocado.  And don’t forget the ranchero sauce or the lime crema on top!

And yes, that is a small side of cucumber pico just to set it all off.

Orange PaOrange PancakesOrange pancakes
 with 100% pure maple syrup!

Light and fluffy, just what the doctor ordered to chase the wintertime blahs away! Some whipped cream, a little fresh fruit garnish— 100% pure maple syrup! Why?  Because we’re Carmen’s! And it tastes so gooooood!

Fresh BerriesWould you believe it’s Berry Season?

Fresh Berries!

In the middle of Winter?  Well, technically, it’s Spring, and yes, they are good ol’ raised in the USA berries.  They are so special, and so good, we are offering them as a breskfast appetizer.  We give you a few as a garnish, but here’s your chance for a small bowlful.

Come in and enjoy the fresh goodness and natural phytogens of blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries!

Next Week at Troy Night Out:

Kevin Maul and Friends– the area’s premier Dobro guitar player, with guest Peggy Lecuyer. Refreshments by Carmen

JimBarista-Sangrista

Jim-GeraleCarmen might do the food, but Jim makes the drinks.

Not the bartending drinks, that’s Paula.  You know, Bloody Marys and Margaritas and Mimosas and such. But Jim blends the sangrias, mixes the secret recipe for Jim-Gerale, brews iced tea, and pulls shots for Espressos and Cortados.  Truly, he steams milk like no other. And don’t worry—  Carmen tastes everything he mixes, and sets him straight if it’s wrong  ;?)

CarmenWinter Hours

Just open weekends till we can catch our breath: Saturday & Sunday 9-4

Of course, we’ll still open special for a private party.  Call us at (518) 326-2064

Good Morning from the Heart of the South Troy Arts District!

New Artist!

Abby Lublin by SusanBAnthonyDoes the name Susan B. Anthony ring a bell? And she came by it honestly!

Susan is from Brooklyn, and just loves Troy. So much that she’s writing a book about us— if by writing you mean taking pictures of everyday Trojans. And we’ve got a preview hanging on our walls. This is her photograph of our hero Abby Lublin, urban grower extraordinaire.

Meet her Saturday Feb. 21, from 5-8, when we throw our usual Grand Artist’s Reception. Dinner will be available, plus complimentary Cuban hors d’oeuvres.

Fire Drum by Jim Lewis of Springwood Studios

By Jim Lewis of Springwood Studios

What did YOU do for Christmas? Jim made drums for a numbew of people. Here’s the Fire Drum, made of cherry, blooddwood, and butcherblock oak.

See him for those extra special things, from furniture to sculpture to— yes, even counters and floors like Carmen’s.

Cookin’ With Chef Carmen!

Cookin' With Chef CarmenWho makes all that delicious food? Chef Carmen, mostly.

That’s not to say she doesn’t have help, but mostly it’s her back there, bringing us authentic Cuban recipes she was taught by her Aunt Matilda. And a few things she’s picked up since then.

Here’s a picture I took of her the other day. You can tell she was dreaming about springtime.

Pretty strong dream. I hope it comes true soon!

January Hours:

Just open Weekends till we catch our breath:
Saturday & Sunday 9-4

Of course, we’ll still do a party if you call ahead!

Regular Hours start Feb 1:

Back to the full schedule:
Thursday 11-6
Friday 11-10
Saturday & Sunday 9-4

Free local delivery for orders over $15 on weekdays.

We’re Back!

Week of Sat. Jan 10 to Sun. Jan. 11

We’re all spruced up and ready for the New Year!

January Hours: Just open Weekends till we catch our breath: Saturday & Sunday 9-4

Of course, we’ll still do a party if you call ahead!

Regular Hours Starting on February 1st:

Thursday 11-6
Friday 11-10
Saturday & Sunday 9-4
Free local delivery for orders over $15 on weekdays

New Artist!

Does the name Susan B. Anthony ring a bell?  And she came by it honestly!

Susan is from Brooklyn, and just loves Troy.  So much that she’s writing a book about us — if by writing you mean taking pictures of everyday Trojans. And we’ve got a preview hanging on our walls. This is her photograph of our hero Abby Lublin, urban grower extraordinaire. Abby Lublin by SusanBAnthony

Meet her Saturday Feb. 21, from 5-8, when we throw our usual Grand Artist’s Reception. Dinner will be available, plus complimentary Cuban hors d’oeuvres.